Interview with Taryn Urushido, Crochet Artist
Tell us who you are and what you do?
My name is Taryn Urushido and I’m a crochet artist based in Brooklyn, NY.
How did you start crocheting and do you have any anecdotes from your past that made you fall in love with the craft?
I learned when I was 7 years old, at an after-school program. My teacher was 70, and her name was Mary Scopa. She is so important to me and I always say her name, because she taught me what I do now. I learned with scrap acrylic yarns and a metal hook. I made a potholder out of red white and green yarn, which I still have to this day. Then she taught me how to make a circle coaster and square shapes which I still have :)
From there, I really explored how to make blankets, scarves, bags, and amorphic shapes. I taught other adults how to crochet as well as my grandma, aunt, and sister. At 9 years old I decided I wanted business cards (from Microsoft Word days when they had a cute business card option with graphics to choose from…I have only one left !)
I originally began studying Art Therapy at community college in Arizona. However, I was often distracted and really wanted to be in NYC. I graduated with my BFA in Accessories Design. I continued to explore new mediums of crochet while I was learning how to build 3D objects. I worked at some amazing fashion brands and traveled to factories in Europe and Asia, working alongside artisans.
During this time I was exploring ripping and cutting raw fabrics and leathers to use as my “yarn”. When my last corporate job was closing the NY office to consolidate everyone in Boston HQ, I was offered to move. I ended up declining.
Instead, I saw an opportunity to create a business that makes, teaches, and explores. Today, I teach mainly as an outlet for others. I work with the idea that we are our best person by giving the gift of our time to:
Learn something new
Make something with our hands
Meditate
Give to someone else
95% of my students have never crocheted. Everyone walks away making exactly what they are signed up for, whether it is a bag, wall hanging, or learning the basics of crochet. I mostly teach project-based classes. These advance the mind, hand-eye coordination, and especially confidence.
My only rules for crocheting are: Learn the technique, let your heart and materials guide the rest. I don’t believe in a perfect pattern. I didn’t learn by the book, and I don’t teach this way. If a student is a perfectionist who wants their design to have precise edges and exact form, they may find that the work starts that way, but naturally changes into something more organic by the end. The beauty of my job is to help the student’s relationship with materials, color, form, tension…they will usually create something they normally wouldn’t have imagined for themselves, and are moved by the experience.
What is inspiring your work currently?
Teaching! Community! Prior to quarantine, I was teaching private lessons and group workshops. I really had to think differently, once that was not an option. I now have online downloadable workshops available on my website, with a portion of proceeds going to charities. I feel so touched every time I see new names, cities and states that are making what I’m teaching, what I’m sharing.
It really took me the first couple of weeks to manage my own anxieties of quarantine and what that means to me as an artist. I think that community is really dependent on its neighborhood to create and hold the positive energy needed. I have been crocheting rainbows for local businesses and hospitals as a colorful and cheerful way to say THANK YOU to everyone out there protecting us, keeping us safe, working the grocery stores, shipping and delivering our mail. I’ve been collaborating with different businesses in the community, and outside of NYC just simply bonding, sharing ideas in business practices, ideas in working together, and creating stronger relationships to support one another. To create a stronger future for all of us.
A local public school and I are discussing possible ways to collaborate for when school re-opens. That is very encouraging to me as an artist who teaches. I always look forward to sharing all of the good things that crochet means to me, not only as an art form but also as a healing, expressive, and freeing outlet. I dont assume anyone has the means or wants to buy the same or similar materials to what I have in my examples. I’ve had students who couldn’t purchase the materials so I’ve asked “do you have old clothing you’re wanting to donate or no longer keep?” One student found amazing textured sweaters and pillow cases and random yarn. I used similar items for the same effect on my sample as I taught her each step.
My approach is to first teach in a way that is more visual than technical, creating repetitive instructions that become meditative. That creates a level of comfort for each student to design their own piece; I simply guide them and show some tricks along the way. The option to repurpose what we already have is the added bonus for me!
Are there any artists you admire for their work and what resonates with you?
I really love Emma Kohlmann’s figures and creatures surrounded by earth and plant life because when I see her work I get that first meeting with a newborn emotion. It’s perfect. with such a pure connotation.
The artists at Creative Growth Art Center in San Francisco are all inspiring to me. I am moved by so many of the artists and pieces; there’s an honest, repetitive motion or medium in most of the works that become calming to look at the textures, and patterns.
Lastly, I think that DIY at home is fascinating. You can learn a project in a classroom setting, but what you do with that afterwards- flip it on its head and add your new boundaries- is what I find fascinating. Instagram is amazing in that way, I meet people all the time in different parts of the world because we are sharing new ways of applying crochet to our projects, sharing new materials, form, technique.
What are some of the things that you do to cope with what is happening at the world at large?
Actually fulfilling a lot of things I’ve been meaning to do, (i.e. online workshops, creating fun and colorful work).
If someone is looking to start crochet, what tools will they need to start and where can they get them?
You can start with a crochet hook or you can start finger crochet! You can use yarns or even cut up an old t-shirt. For purchased materials, I would suggest your local yarn or craft shops.
What are you obsessed with right now?
Silly, fun, and happy ideas: A crochet and cocktail happy hour, crocheting a huge colorful, happy symbol and walking down the street asking for donations to charities if it makes you happy…..things that basically are why not? moments :)
What is your favorite drink to have during the cocktail happy hour? What is the recipe?
I like something light and refreshing to begin with so I can still focus on my project ;) I don’t know what to name it right now…. Ingredients: tall glass w ice, pour 1:3 dry vermouth, 2:3 chilled tonic water, add an orange slice.